We are not too far from the city but we must take a bus for $ 22 all day and all the family. It is cheaper than taxi. The journey takes 1 hour of time, we arrive in the rain as the first day we arrived in NZ but it is heavy. We planned to go on the island of Rongitoto (a volcano), we give it up because of the time. It remains for us to make the stores are decorated for Christmas, we're also going to our bank account to pay off the principal to avoid bank charges every month and have cash for the change in PSC. Transaction very easy all you need is a NZ driver's license or passport, address and telephone number. We told them we were leaving on vacation. Yet some shopping and we go by bus to our hotel. We reserve the shuttle hotel / airport which is free, it is provided 10 hours a morning. Arrival in the room we loop again suitcases, we put on our computers to write on the blog, do some emails (no connection) and download pictures. Last day and evening in Auckland, when you think three years in an English system, and tomorrow we are in Noumea is a bit hard to imagine. A new life and discover another island we expect ...

Before hitting the road for Auckland Tauranga we go get the car we rented via the Internet. We had a big surprise the car in question was a kind pick up, and the Secretary shows a small model. Small conflict it starts well. We explained that we take a plane in the afternoon and we definitely need a vehicle to transport all our stuff. Another person has come to initiate the conversation and offered us a car that has just returned (MPV), we accept all away because otherwise I do not know how you would primarily because the hotel is booked for two days. Back to the home of our friends to load our mess (photo support), the last goodbye to everybody Blair / Charlotte / Barry / Barbara ..... Of great people and "Very Friendly". After a few scares this time we are indeed the way to Auckland Airport, 210 km but it was ending all along there was construction. Management company transport or we must leave our canteens and other boxes that will go by plane but not with us. That little extra that obviously pays NZ $ 318, the sum may be huge but compared to the exorbitant price we gain in NC. After a few papers posted we head to our hotel a 3 * Comfort Inn, we have a family room on two floors, the girls are down and we sleep upstairs. Very comfortable, nice and priced raisonnabl e $ 219 (for 2 days) plus we have the right to a free breakfast for 2 people. We have a little time we decide to go to Auckland but given the traffic we stop just before the Mount Eden one of the 50 extinct volcanoes on the whole region. Summit a magnificent view over the city and skytower, and we can see the other volcanoes ... Back on the road in the opposite direction to the hotel, traffic is slowed, we hear sirens from police and firefighters, a big black smoke emerges on the expressway. It is believed that it is filing Warehouse which caught fire. Back at the hotel my husband must make the car next to the airport 19 hours before, he comes home in a taxi $ 20 race is the cheapest. So much for our first day. Info in the evening we learn for the incident that is has had an explosion of a small gas cylinder.

After these few days in Auckland, before heading back we rented a car at home for 20 days 2AB (price $ 420) to reach about Tauranga. There are over 200 km between the two cities. Arrival in Bethlehem at the address indicated, we are greeted by the grandfather of the family (we will be well after). So we go down to the shop or we'll meet Charlotte, blair and two children (Alec and Marco) aged 2 and 4 years.

Parents are patrons of a business kayaking and just landed the girls were lucky enough to do. These are some nice people.

After 12 hours of sleep, we start to discover the city of Auckland. Harbor tour by bus (free). We did some shopping for the evening to eat in the hotel and we go back because the weather is really bad that the rain